CSO! Program: Getting the Work Done

  • Project Management
  • Community Basin Panel
  • Basin Advisory Panels

The Omaha Combined Sewer Overflow Control Program is being managed by the City of Omaha, CH2M Hill, HDR, and Lamp Rynearson & Associates. These entities collectively comprise the Program Management Team. Lovgren Marketing Group coordinates Public Participation for the Program.

In addition to the Program Management Team, many dedicated community volunteers have worked to provide feedback and neighborhood-oriented input.


A critical element in evaluating CSO control alternatives in Omaha is community acceptance. To help accomplish this, then Mayor Fahey appointed 13 community leaders to serve on a Community Basin Panel. 

Current Members

Ron Abdouch, The Neighborhood Center of Greater Omaha
Tim Burke, Omaha Public Power District
Paul Carter, Omaha Public Schools
Pete Festerson, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
Scott Keep, Metropolitan Utilities District
Connie Spellman, Omaha by Design
Jim Thompson, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources Division Board
Cheryl Weston, Highlander Neighborhood Association

Past Members

Dell Gines, Habitat for Humanity
Tim Holland, Holland-Basham Architects
John McClelland, Mutual of Omaha
Athena Ramos, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Nancy Thompson, Big Brothers-Big Sisters of the Midlands
Cammy Watkins, Sierra Club–Omaha Office

The Community Basin Panel helped rank and weight non-monetary benefits on a basin level for use in considering both costs and benefits in the evaluation of CSO solutions. Along with the Basin Advisory Panel, they will continue to be active during the implementation phase of the Program.

During the development of the Long Term Control Plan, 125 individuals representing neighborhoods, businesses, and area organizations participated on Basin Advisory Panels that helped rank and weight non-monetary benefits on a basin level for use in considering both costs and benefits in the evaluation of CSO solutions. Along with the Community Basin Panel, they will continue to be active during the implementation phase of the Program.